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Daily Express
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Jeffrey denies RM1.78 million bribe
Published on: Monday, June 30, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 30, 2025 Text Size: 'I reserve the right to pursue all legal avenues, including legal action against Malaysiakini for its irresponsible and damaging report,' Jeffrey said. Kota Kinabalu: Star President and Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan, has strongly denied allegations published by Malaysiakini accusing him of receiving RM1.78 million linked to a mining scandal. 'These allegations are completely baseless. They are politically motivated attacks meant to destabilise, discredit, and ultimately destroy the existing Sabah government,' he said, adding that he is talking to his lawyers. He stressed that he never had anything to do with any such scandal. 'I have never, at any time, received any funds related to mining applications or any so-called mining scandal. 'This is a deliberate fabrication, orchestrated by desperate politicians trying to exert undue influence over Sabah's political scene. This is a tactic that has been used since the 1960s,' he said. Sabah Tanah Air Ku, he said, has no involvement in any mining activity nor has the party applied for any mining licence. 'As a supporter of the Nature Conservation Agreement (NCA), mining is fundamentally incompatible with our conservation principles,' he stressed. Dr Jeffrey also said he and his party colleagues have fully cooperated with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). 'We have given full cooperation to the MACC and provided detailed statements,' he said. He condemned the attempt by certain media to try the case in the court of public opinion. 'This is the price we pay for fighting for Sabah's rights. Earlier statements from the whistle blower cleared Star and PBS of any wrongdoing or receipt of corrupt funds,' he said. 'Because of the seriousness of the false and malicious accusations I am exploring legal options. 'I reserve the right to pursue all legal avenues, including legal action against Malaysiakini for its irresponsible and damaging report,' he said. He warned of more false allegations as elections near. 'We can expect more lies and slander from Malaysiakini and other political manipulators as the election approaches. 'It's no surprise that certain groups and parties are celebrating, hoping that fake news will reshape Sabah's political landscape,' he added. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Jeffrey denies report claiming he received RM1.78mil in mining corruption scandal
KOTA KINABALU: STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has denied allegations published by a news portal claiming he received RM1.78 million in connection with a mining licence corruption scandal. In a statement issued by the party's information chief, Mohd Anuar Ghani Gilong, Jeffrey, who is also Sabah Deputy Chief Minister, stressed that he has never received any funds related to mining applications or the alleged scandal. "The accusations are a deliberate fabrication orchestrated by desperate political actors seeking to exert undue influence on Sabah politics, a tactic that has been employed since the 1960s," the statement read. Jeffrey also said the party denied any involvement in mining activities, clarifying that it had never applied for any mining licences. "As proponents of the Nature Conservation Agreement (NCA), the party maintains that mining is inherently incompatible with its conservation principles." He added that he and other party members had fully cooperated with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), including by providing detailed statements. "This is the price one pays for fighting for Sabah's rights," he said. Jeffrey further stated that previous statements made by the whistleblower had cleared both STAR and Parti Bersatu Sabah of any wrongdoing or receipt of illicit funds. Given the severity of the false and malicious allegations, Jeffrey said he reserves the right to pursue all available legal avenues, including legal action against the news portal responsible for what he described as irresponsible and damaging reporting. "It is anticipated that many more libellous and false accusations will surface leading up to the election.
Borneo Post
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Jeffrey denies mining scandal allegations, vows legal action
Jeffrey KOTA KINABALU (June 29): STAR President Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Gapari Kitingan vehemently denies allegations published by Malaysiakini accusing him of receiving RM1.78 million in connection with a purported mining scandal. He asserts that these accusations are completely unfounded and represents a politically motivated attack designed to destabilize, demonise and demolish the current Sabah government. Jeffrey emphasizes that he has never, ever, received any funds related to the mining applications or any alleged scandal. The accusations are a deliberate fabrication orchestrated by desperate political actors seeking to exert undue influence on Sabah politics, a tactic historically employed since the 1960s. The STAR party categorically denies any involvement in mining activities, clarifying that it has never applied for any mining licenses. As proponents of the Nature Conservation Agreement (NCA), the party maintains that mining is inherently incompatible with its conservation principles, he said in a statement issued by STAR information chief Mohd Anuar Tan Sri Ghani Gilong on Sunday. Jeffrey further states that both he and other members of his party have cooperated fully with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM) in their investigation, providing detailed statements. He condemns the media's attempt to try the case through public opinion instead of following proper legal channels. This is the price you pay for fighting for Sabah rights. He also notes that previous statements made by the whistleblower have exonerated both STAR and PBS of any wrongdoing or receipt of corrupt funds. Given the severity of these false and malicious accusations, Jeffrey reserves the right to pursue all available legal avenues, including legal action against Malaysiakini for its irresponsible and damaging reporting. 'We expect more false and slanderous allegations to come out of the mouth of Malaysiakini and other political manipulators,' he said. It is anticipated that many more libellous and false accusations will surface leading up to the election. It is not surprising that certain groups and parties will exploit on this, hoping that this fake news will alter the dynamics and political landscape in Sabah. Jeffrey, who is Deputy Chief Minister I, is one of the six more politicians in Sabah accused of involvement in the mining licence scandal by the news portal. The portal claimed that a source who spoke on condition of anonymity has provided them with screenshots allegedly taken from a video recording involving the political leaders, with the total amount of alleged bribery involving RM3.96 million between the six individuals. In addition to the video evidence, the source claimed that WhatsApp messages and other documents exist to support the transactions. With the latest development, 15 politicians have been implicated in corrupt activities between 2023 and 2024, allegedly in exchange for assistance in processing mineral exploration licence applications.
